Kayla Deru

Arterial and pulmonary arterial hemodynamics and oxygen delivery/extraction in normal humans exposed to hyperbaric air and oxygen

Divers and hyperbaric chamber attendants breathe hyperbaric air routinely. Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO(2)) is used therapeutically frequently. Although much is understood about the hemodynamic physiology and gas exchange effects during hyperbaric air and HBO(2) exposure, arterial and pulmonary arterial (PA) catheter data, including blood gas values during hyperbaric air and HBO(2) exposure of normal humans, have not been reported. We exposed 10 healthy volunteers instrumented with arterial and PA catheters to air at 0.85, 3.0, 2.5, 2.0, 1.3 (decompression stop), 1.12 (decompression stop), and 0.85 atm abs (our altitude) and then at identical pressures breathing O(2) followed by atmospheric pressure air while we measured arterial and PA pressures (PAP), cardiac output (Q), and blood gas measurements from both arterial and PA catheters. Although hemodynamic changes occurred during exposure to both hyperbaric air and HBO(2), we observed a greater magnitude of change under HBO(2) conditions: heart rate changes ranged from -9 to -19% (air to O(2)), respiratory rate from -12 to -17%, Q from -7 to -18%, PAP from -18 to -19%, pulmonary vascular resistance from -38 to -48%, and right-to-left shunt fraction from -87 to -107%. Mixed venous CO(2) fell 8% from baseline during HBO(2) despite mixed venous O(2) tensions of several hundred Torr. The stroke volume, O(2) delivery, and O(2) consumption did not change across exposures. The arterial and mixed venous partial pressures of O(2) and contents were elevated, as predicted. O(2) extraction increased 37% during HBO(2).

SpCO: Let's Not Throw the Baby Out With the Bath Water—Reply

In reply: We thank Dr McEvoy for his thoughtful reply to our report. He is correct that our definition of false positive was restrictive; however, we based this definition on the manufacturers stated accuracy specification, and, indeed, found that the RAD-57 functioned as specified. When

Hyperbaric oxygen for post-concussive symptoms in United States military service members: a randomized clinical trial

Background In prior military randomized trials, participants with persistent symptoms after mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) reported improvement regardless of receiving hyperbaric oxygen (HBO₂) or sham intervention. This studys objectives were to identify outcomes for future efficacy trials and describe changes by intervention. Methods This Phase II, randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial enrolled military personnel with mild TBI and persistent post-concussive symptoms. Participants were randomized to receive 40 HBO₂ (1.5 atmospheres absolute (ATA), ⟩99% oxygen, 60 minutes) or sham chamber sessions (1.2 ATA, room air, 60 minutes) over 12 weeks. Participants and evaluators were blinded to allocation. Outcomes assessed at baseline, 13 weeks and six months included symptoms, quality of life, neuropsychological, neurological, electroencephalography, sleep, auditory, vestibular, autonomic, visual, neuroimaging, and laboratory testing. Participants completed 12-month questionnaires. Intention-to-treat results are reported. Results From 9/11/2012 to 5/19/2014, 71 randomized participants received HBO₂ (n=36) or sham (n=35). At baseline, 35 participants (49%) met post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) criteria. By the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory, the HBO₂ group had improved 13-week scores (mean change -3.6 points, P=0.03) compared to sham (+3.9 points). In participants with PTSD, change with HBO₂ was more pronounced (-8.6 vs. +4.8 points with sham, P=0.02). PTSD symptoms also improved in the HBO₂ group, and more so in the subgroup with PTSD. Improvements regressed at six and 12 months. Hyperbaric oxygen improved some cognitive processing speed and sleep measures. Participants with PTSD receiving HBO₂ had improved functional balance and reduced vestibular complaints at 13 weeks. Conclusions By 13 weeks, HBO₂ improved post-concussive and PTSD symptoms, cognitive processing speed, sleep quality, and balance function, most dramatically in those with PTSD. Changes did not persist beyond six months. Several outcomes appeared sensitive to change; additional studies are warranted.

Carboxyhemoglobin half-life during hyperbaric oxygen in a patient with lung dysfunction: a case report

INTRODUCTION The carboxyhemoglobin half-life (COHb t1/2) during hyperbaric oxygen (HBO₂) is often quoted as 23 minutes, derived from the average of two adult male volunteers breathing HBO₂ at 3 atmospheres absolute (ATA). However, the mean COHb t1/2 of 12 male volunteer smokers was 26.3 minutes at 1.58 ATA and in 12 non-intubated carbon monoxide (CO) poisoned patients treated at 3 ATA, was 43 minutes. CASE REPORT An 81-year old male, poisoned by an improperly ventilated natural gas heater, was intubated for coma, then treated with HBO₂. His PaO₂/FiO₂ = 283 from aspiration. His initial COHb was 34.4%, and 18 minutes before HBO₂, 5.9%. After a compression interval of 17 minutes, the COHb measured after 22 minutes at 3 ATA was 3.3%. RESULTS By exponential decay, his COHb t1/2 before HBO₂ was 95 minutes. We estimate the range for COHb t1/2 during compression as 62-81 minutes and for the 3-ATA interval, 58 to 49 minutes, respectively. The mid-point estimate of COHb t1/2 at 3 ATA was 53 minutes. CONCLUSIONS The COHb t1/2 we calculated is greater than previously reported, but longer in our patient possibly because of concomitant respiratory failure, lung dysfunction, and mechanical ventilation. The often-cited COHb t1/2 of 23 minutes, likely underestimates the actual COHb t1/2 in CO-poisoned patients, especially those with cardiopulmonary dysfunction.